Glasgow has recorded the highest number of drink-driving offences in Scotland over the past year, with 1,026 cases logged, according to new figures.
The city leads the national tally well ahead of North Lanarkshire (745 offences) and Highland (654). South Lanarkshire (493) and the City of Edinburgh (491) complete the top five.
The data, published in the latest Recorded Crime in Scotland report, comes as Police Scotland launches its annual summer crackdown on drink and drug driving, which runs until 13 July.
In total, 8,638 DUI offences were recorded across Scotland in 2024/25—up 7% on the previous year and 58% higher than a decade ago.
Separate Transport Scotland figures also show a rise in casualties, with 310 people injured in alcohol-related road incidents in a single year. Thirty of those were fatalities.
Scotland’s legal alcohol limit was lowered in December 2014 from 80mg to 50mg per 100ml of blood. Since then, attitudes among drivers have shifted. A poll by breathalyser firm AlcoSense found that 41% of motorists now avoid alcohol completely if they know they’ll be driving later the same day or the following morning. A further 29% say they’ve reduced their consumption since the law changed.
“Four in ten motorists (41%) admitted to consuming more alcohol whilst Scotland was in lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said AlcoSense Managing Director Hunter Abbott. “Worryingly, 15% say their drinking habits have remained at the same level since.”
“So it seems that, whilst most Scots are showing a far more responsible attitude towards drinking and driving, a stubborn hard core may account for the increase in alcohol-related accidents.”
The most common precaution now taken is to arrange alternative transport. AlcoSense’s research shows that 46% of respondents now walk, take a taxi, or use a designated alcohol-free driver after drinking.
Abbott added, “When you go out socialising this summer, plan ahead for how you’ll get home. And if you’ve been drinking the night before, test yourself with a personal breathalyser in the morning to check you’re clear.”
“The risk of being in a fatal accident increases significantly with alcohol in your system – even if you are below the legal limit.”
During last year’s festive enforcement campaign, Police Scotland conducted 4,779 breath tests and 963 roadside drug checks.